LibGuides: Systematic Reviews: Umbrella Reviews

What is an Umbrella Review?

An umbrella review is a synthesis of previously published systematic reviews. The process of conducting an umbrella review is similar to a systematic review.

Why Conduct an Umbrella Review?

To develop an even higher standard of evidence for clinical practice
To resolve disagreements between systematic reviews
To answer new questions by combining data from multiple systematic reviews

The Umbrella Review Process

1. Develop an umbrella review protocol

Your protocol should include:

A clear and focused research question
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Your search strategy
A plan for screening results
A plan for extracting data from the studies

2. Conduct the search

Partner with a librarian
Develop a systematic search strategy
Search multiple databases
Document all steps
See the Systematic Review Guide to learn more about developing a search strategy

3. Screen the results

Use at least 2 independent reviewers
Title/Abstract screening
Full text screening
Use a tool like Covidence to streamline the process. Ask your liaison librarian about access to Covidence.

4. Appraise the Results

Perform a critical appraisal of all included studies to ensure research validity, trustworthiness, and value
Learn more about critical appraisal on the Systematic Review Guide

5. Extract your data

Data should be independently extracted by at least 2 researchers
Use a standardized form for extracting data
Use a tool like Covidence to streamline the process. Ask your liaison librarian about access to Covidence.

6. Report the findings

Report your finding according to PRISMA guidelines
Reach out to your liaison librarian for assistance with all parts of the publishing process

Guidance on Umbrella Reviews

Chapter 10: Umbrella reviews
A chapter from the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis on umbrella reviews.
Ten simple rules for conducting umbrella reviews
The current manuscript discusses 10 key points to consider for conducting robust umbrella reviews.
Summarizing systematic reviews methodological development, conduct and reporting of an umbrella review approach
This study describes the methodology and methods developed for the conduct of an umbrella review that includes published systematic reviews and meta-analyses as the analytical unit of the review.

Example Umbrella Reviews

Health outcomes associated with vegetarian diets: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
To integrate the large amount of the available evidence, we performed an umbrella review of published meta-analyses that investigated the association between vegetarian diets and health outcomes.
What Influences the Implementation of Shared Decision Making: An Umbrella Review
An umbrella review of existing reviews on SDM was adopted. Databases were searched from 1997 to December 2018. Studies were included if they performed a review of barriers and facilitators to SDM. Results: 7 eligible reviews were identified. The five themes identified were: patient factors, professional factors, environmental factors, relationship factors, and factors related to information provision. Lack of time was the main factor hindering the implementation of SDM. Encouragement and motivation of providers to use SDM was a significant enabler of SDM implementation.
Physical Activity and Exercise in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: An Umbrella Review of Intervention and Observational Studies
The aim of this umbrella review was to determine the effect of physical activity/exercise on improving cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in people with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and dementia.